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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Carlos Lacámara is a Cuban-born actor and playwright. His plays, Becoming Cuban, Havana Bourgeois, Exiles, Cuba Libre, and Nowhere on the Border, have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Portland. Eliza and the Alchemist is his first novel, and he may or may not be doing research for a sequel.

Carlos lives in Santa Monica, California, with his loving wife, Carol Barbee, and their even more loving dog, Gracie

Publisher: Fixed Mark Productions, Inc (February 28, 2023) Page count: 384 Genre: Formats: ebook, paperback, hardback

Eliza desires a healthy relationship (and sex), but she has no idea how to get them. Students have parties and sex, so why can’t she? First, guys of her age tire her. Second, she prefers to daydream and imagine passionate scenarios with older men than actually indulge in them.

So it’s a romance, after all? Nope. Sure, Eliza’s infatuation with the enigmatic Professor Oliver Crowley is important to the plot, but secondary to wildly imaginative adventure and family history. It still drives the character’s dynamics and situational humor, though. The plot takes her and the readers on a hell of an adventure, including demons, homunculi, zombie gang bangers, and, literally, hell.

Eliza and The Alchemist is an engaging page-turner with good characterization, evocative writing, and lots of heart. The beginning revolves around Eliza’s crush on the professor, which leads to her stealing a cherished heirloom (a rare book) from her father to impress him. It’s an unfortunate decision because the book serves to open gates to hell and unleash demons in the world. Worry not, though. Oliver is an alchemist and Eliza has a knack for it, too. She just needs a little training and concentration.

Eliza hit the gas and raced on. “A….a is the demon. She smells the same, she laughs the same, she’s the only one who could possibly know about the book, and I hate her fucking guts!” “If and when we find the demon,” Crowley pressed, “you cannot defeat it with anger.” “Then I’ll use a baseball bat.”

Eliza is snarky and likable. Despite her idiosyncrasies and extravagant behavior, she’s resourceful and strong-minded. Professor Crowley does an excellent job of being the story’s intriguing enigma for both Eliza and the reader. Secondary characters may lack depth, but they make the story colorful (especially kindhearted zombie gangbanger Jaime and lovesick Ethan infatuated with Eliza).

I loved Lacámara’s witty and engaging writing style. It’s short, clear, and easy to read. His vivid descriptions and clever use of historical flourishes and Hollywood references made the world-building rich and immersive. And probably slightly Meta.

Imaginative and terrifying creatures, from skeletal zombies to giant scorpions, create a sense of danger and urgency in the story, though darker moments are balanced with humor.

I had a great time reading Eliza and the Alchemist; it’s a fun and engaging read that combines elements of horror, comedy, and romance into a charmingly quirky and imaginative paranormal adventure. Highly recommended!